Devine Scripture

Matthew 5:30

What does Matthew 5:30 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 5:30 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 5:30 means

Mirroring the intensity of the previous verse, Jesus continues with another startling hyperbole. If one's right hand, representing actions or deeds that lead to sin, causes one to stumble, it is better to metaphorically "cut it off" and cast it away. The overarching message remains that no sacrifice is too great to avoid sin and its ultimate consequence. Disciples must be willing to ruthlessly sever ties with anything, however valuable or integral it seems, that leads them away from God and towards eternal destruction.

Matthew 5:30 in context

Matthew 5 — The Beatitudes

Jesus opens his Sermon on the Mount with eight pronouncements that turn the world's value system upside down. Blessing belongs not to the proud and self-sufficient but to the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, the hungry for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and the persecuted. In a few sentences he sketches the character of the citizens of the kingdom of heaven, and then calls them salt of the earth and light of the world.

  • Kingdom ethics
  • Inner righteousness
  • True blessedness
  • Light and salt

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And if thy right hand causeth thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body go into hell.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And if thy right hand causeth thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body go into hell.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And if your right hand is a cause of trouble to you, let it be cut off and put it away from you; because it is better to undergo the loss of one part, than for all your body to go into hell.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`And, if thy right hand doth cause thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast from thee, for it is good to thee that one of thy members may perish, and not thy whole body be cast to gehenna.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And if thy right hand scandalize thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is expedient for thee that one of thy members should perish, rather than that thy whole body go into hell.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And if thy right hand be a snare to thee, cut it off and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members perish, and not thy whole body be cast into hell.

Context

This verse perfectly parallels verse 29, serving as a second, equally vivid hyperbole to stress the utter urgency of eliminating sin triggers. Together, these two verses powerfully conclude Jesus' teaching on lust and self-denial, making a strong point about the seriousness of sin before transitioning to another reinterpretation of the Law, this time regarding divorce.

v.29And if thy right eye causeth thee to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body be cast into hell.

v.30This passage

v.31It was said also, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Peter 2:8

    and, A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence; for they stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

  • Matthew 18:6

    but whoso shall cause one of these little ones that believe on me to stumble, it is profitable for him that a great millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be sunk in the depth of the sea.

  • Luke 12:5

    But I will warn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, who after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

  • Mark 9:43

    And if thy hand cause thee to stumble, cut it off: it is good for thee to enter into life maimed, rather than having thy two hands to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire.

  • Luke 17:2

    It were well for him if a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, rather than that he should cause one of these little ones to stumble.

  • Matthew 22:13

    Then the king said to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and cast him out into the outer darkness; there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.

Sermon ideas from Matthew 5:30

Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.

  • What Matthew 5:30 teaches us about kingdom ethics

  • What Matthew 5:30 teaches us about inner righteousness

  • What Matthew 5:30 teaches us about true blessedness

  • What Matthew 5:30 teaches us about light and salt

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